Early Season Soybean Diseases

Published: June 6, 2011

This could be another interesting year for early season soybean diseases in Missouri. Because of the erratic weather patterns, soybean planting is behind average in some regions of the state. A significant number of acres were just planted during a short dry period about a week ago, so plants in those fields are just emerging. The fluctuations in both air and soil temperatures have contributed to uneven germination and slow growth of young plants in some fields. The next several weeks will be the test for how severe early season seed decay, damping off and seedling blight are in soybeans this year.

However, the unusual fluctuations in both soil moisture and soil temperatures could increase the potential for Pythium seed decay and seedling blight as well as Phytophthora seedling blight. The early season soybean diseases include those that cause seed decay, seedling blights and root rots of soybean. Most of these early season soybean diseases are caused by fungi in the soil that are found wherever soybeans are grown. Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium are the most common of these early season pathogens, although Macrophomina (charcoal rot fungus) may also cause early season seedling problems.

This season weather may have a direct impact on seedling health and vigor. Saturated soils resulting in oxygen deprivation may have caused poor germination and death of germinated seedlings before they emerged through the soil surface. Saturated soils and oxygen deprivation may also adversely affect young seedlings. In some fields soybean plants were just crooking through the soil surface when unusually low temperatures occurred. The crook of the young plant may have been damaged by cold temperatures and as these plants unfold that region of the hypocotyl may be discolored and constricted. Soil pathogens such as Phytophthora or Rhizoctonia may also be contributing to the discoloration and constriction of this area of the hypocotyl. If the constriction isn't too severe, plants may survive. However, if the constriction is severe, these young plants may not survive. This is especially true if the plants are then stressed by hot, windy conditions.

Soybean seedling blights have the potential to cause losses in Missouri soybean fields every year. The specific seedling blights that occur and their severity vary with the environmental conditions each season. With the changes in weather patterns this spring and soybean planting delayed in much of the state because of wet soil conditions, it is difficult to predict which, if any, seedling blights may occur or may cause significant problems this season.

Pythium and Phytophthora are favored by wet conditions and are more likely to be serious problems when wet conditions exist at or just after planting. Rhizoctonia and Fusarium are not as restricted by soil moistures and soil temperatures but still need some moisture to initiate infection. Macrophomina phaseolina grows best at temperatures between 82-95°F. Infection of seedlings with Macrophomina is most likely to occur if conditions of high soil temperatures and low soil moisture exist during the first two to three weeks after planting.

Phytophthora can cause seed rot, preemergence damping-off and early postemergence damping-off. Initially affected tissue develops a soft, watery brown rot. Within several days the affected plant parts may dry out and shrivel up becoming dark, dry and brittle. This early stage Phytophthora is difficult to distinguish from Pythium damping-off. Phytophthora can also cause a seedling blight in which established seedlings turn yellow, wilt and die. Generally the entire seedling is affected and roots may be poorly developed and rotted. Phytophthora root rot is more likely to occur in heavy, wet soils, low areas or compacted areas, but it may occur in light soils or better drained areas if heavy rains occur after planting.

Rhizoctonia can cause seedling blight and root rot of soybean. Affected stands may have an uneven appearance and seedlings appear pale green in color and stunted in growth. The identifying feature of this disease is a small, reddish lesion on one side of the stem at or just below the soil line. This lesion develops into a sunken, cankered area at the point of infection. Sometimes the lesion will expand to completely girdle the stem. On severely infected seedlings, the entire hypocotyl may be discolored and shriveled into a dry, stringy or wiry stem.

Fusarium can also cause root rot of soybean. Infection is usually confined to roots and lower stems. The lower part of the taproot and the lateral root system may be discolored, deteriorated or completely destroyed. General roots show a nondescript brown discoloration and a dry, shrunken rot. Above ground portions of plants may appear off-color and stunted. Plants with severe Fusarium root rot may die prematurely.

Charcoal rot, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, may be more commonly recognized as a mid to late season disease on maturing soybean plants, but it can also occur early in the season on seedlings. Infected seedlings tend to show a reddish brown discoloration from the soil line up the stem. The discolored area changes from reddish brown to dark brown to black. Foliage may appear off color or begin to dry out and turn brown. If the growing point is killed, a twin stem plant may develop. Under hot, dry conditions, infected seedlings may die. Under cooler, wetter conditions, infected seedlings may survive but carry a latent infection. Then symptoms may reappear later in the season with hot, dry weather.

Once the crop has been planted, there is little that can be done to reduce incidence or severity of soybean seedling diseases. Additional stress from poor growing conditions, herbicide injury or other factors may compound problems with soybean seedling diseases. Prior to planting it is important to consider variety selection (especially in fields with a history of Phytophthora), fungicide seed treatment, crop rotation, seedbed preparation and conditions at planting.